What is xcware exactly?

The xcware Universal Computing Platform is a collection of components that integrate seamlessly to create a highly adaptable computing system for diverse use cases. For a more detailed description, please refer to our xcware Documentation.

Can xcware replace the cloud?

The xcware strategy is not to replace the cloud but to position the xcware platform as a layer above it. Our goal is to unify critical business services, independent of cloud vendors, to enhance agility and achieve significant time and cost savings. We view cloud providers as data centers offering vendor-specific services that businesses can leverage and benefit from as needed.

Can xcware replace VMware/Citrix?

Yes, but we highly recommend having a comprehensive migration plan in place. For instance, one of our reference customers, bielomatik.de (a Persico Group company), successfully transitioned from VMware Horizon. They migrated over 30 graphics-intensive CAD/CAE workstations, 100+ office workstations, and 60+ servers to run entirely on the xcware platform on-premises. They replaced their Horizon Server and Horizon Client with Vista Sessions and the Vista Connect client, achieving superior performance with the same hardware. This migration resulted in a 90% reduction in license costs by eliminating the need for CC User licenses and, more importantly, enabled a seamless transition to the cloud, securing future development agility.

How do I migrate a VMware VMDK?

While various tools can be used to convert your VMDK files into the Nebula raw disk format, the real question is: is it worth the effort? In our experience assisting companies with migrations from VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft, the challenge was rarely about the conversion process itself but rather the time it would take. In 90% of cases, provisioning new machines and restoring from backups proved to be a faster and more efficient approach. Only in rare instances, usually involving legacy technologies, was the conversion method the preferred option.

For tailored guidance on your migration process, feel free to contact our consulting team. We’re here to help!

What is Sky Computing?

In simple terms, "Sky Computing" is a model where the xcware Universal Computing layer operates above the cloud, unifying essential business services regardless of the cloud provider. This model boosts agility and provides substantial time and cost savings. Cloud providers are treated as data centers offering vendor-specific services that businesses can utilize as needed.

Please refer to our Sky Computing - What are the benefits? page for more information.

Does xcware support Kubernetes?

Out of the box, no. The xcware platform features its own Magna Cluster services, which are highly advantageous for many distributed computing and data storage use cases. However, you can set up a Kubernetes cluster to leverage the Magna Cluster infrastructure if needed.

Does xcware support GPUs?

Yes, if your server supports GPU installation, you can utilize GPUs within the xcware platform. For more details, please refer to the document Nebula GPU for Instances.

What are Vista Sessions and Vista Connect?

Vista Sessions and Vista Connect work together in tandem. Vista Sessions, a xcware service, associates user identities with specific resources. Once this mapping is established, the Vista Connect client establishes a connection to those resources via a secure tunnel. Together, they create a remote infrastructure primarily used for vGPU-enabled Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), with applications extending beyond this scope.

Can Vista Sessions serve as a replacement for VMware Horizon?

Yes, Vista Sessions can replace VMware Horizon, but currently, it lacks the ability to dynamically assign available machines, which is important in some use cases. However, we will soon introduce the Vista Pools service to enhance the Vista Sessions experience. In the meantime, as an alternative, we offer the option to create a Flow-fx flow that scans and assigns available machines within a Vista Session automation setup.

Is xcware Free Edition really free?

Absolutely! However, there are limitations. The Free Edition is intended for private use and development only, so it cannot be used commercially. You may use it within your business, but strictly for development purposes. For a detailed comparison of the different editions and the limitations of the Free Edition, please refer to the document Compare xcware Editions and you should also have look at our End User License Agreement.

Can you explain how xcware helps save on cloud costs?

Cloud providers typically monetize based on resource usage, charging for every component involved, including CPU, storage, network bandwidth, API calls, data transfers, functions, and even roles and policies. This granular billing approach means that virtually every aspect of cloud operations incurs a cost.

In contrast, by deploying a Sky Node on the cloud, many of these services are managed within the xcware environment, significantly reducing the number of chargeable components with your cloud provider. As a result, you may only incur costs for minimal services directly associated with the Sky Node instance. This streamlined approach can potentially reduce your overall cloud expenses by approximately 50%. However, it is important to evaluate specific scenarios to maximize these savings and determine the most cost-effective configuration for your needs.

In summary, for example, while AWS offers over 200 chargeable services, the xcware platform covers more than 100 of these services at no additional cost.

Another significant cost-saving benefit, especially if you are planning to develop multi-cloud solutions, is the reduction in development efforts. By unifying your core services at a top level, you minimize the need for specialized expertise for each cloud vendor. This streamlined approach leads to reduced development complexity and costs, as you can manage and integrate your services more efficiently without needing extensive knowledge of multiple cloud platforms.

Please refer to our Sky Computing - What are the benefits? page for more information.

For personalized advice on overcoming your cost-saving challenges, please reach out to our consulting team. We're here to assist you!

Is a xcware deployment without Internet access possible?

No, the Nebula system requires internet access during deployment. However, you can use the Nexus rollout package to download the Nebula images directly from the Nexus server. Please note that internet access is still needed for accessing the Linux repositories.

Can you explain the different instance types in xcware?

xcware offers three types of instance solutions to support various computing needs, each designed for specific use cases while maintaining flexibility, automation, and performance within the Sky Computing Layer. Additionally, all solutions—Instances-cn, Instances-vm, and Instances-xvm—support Vista Sessions, providing a powerful alternative to traditional VDI solutions.

Instances-cn
Instances-cn are container-based solutions optimized for scalability and efficiency, while delivering the same level of power and isolation as traditional virtual machines. The entire Nebula services suite, including Sky Desktops, runs on Instances-cn, which do not require Intel VT or AMD-V technologies. This makes them an ideal modern alternative to traditional VMs—especially for cloud-native applications and microservices. Instances-cn are also the preferred choice for Sky Computing, as they integrate seamlessly into the Sky Computing Layer, ensuring maximum performance and resource efficiency.

Instances-vm
Instances-vm are xcware-managed virtual machines designed for high levels of automation and seamless integration within the Sky Computing Layer. They are easy to manage and orchestrate, making them ideal for dynamic, scalable workloads. Unlike container-based solutions, Instances-vm require Intel VT or AMD-V technology—with support for nested virtualization—to operate correctly.

Instances-xvm
Instances-xvm are designed to function like traditional Tier 1 hypervisor-based virtual machines, similar to VMware or KVM. They are primarily used to replace legacy virtualization environments, providing a familiar approach for organizations transitioning away from older hypervisors. At the same time, they enable full integration with the xcware platform and Sky Computing architecture. Instances-xvm require Intel VT or AMD-V technology, with support for nested virtualization, to operate correctly.

Vista Sessions Support
All xcware instance solutions—Instances-cn, Instances-vm, and Instances-xvm—are fully compatible with Vista Sessions, allowing users to experience a high-performance, secure, and flexible virtual desktop solution akin to traditional VDI environments. xcware’s instance solutions provide organizations with the ideal balance of flexibility, automation, and performance, enabling seamless cloud computing and virtualization while streamlining infrastructure management across multiple cloud providers and on-premises environments.

Is it possible to install a Windows guest as Instances-cn?

No, Instances-cn are container-based solutions, which are designed primarily for running Linux-based workloads and cloud-native applications. They are not intended for running full Windows guests, as containers typically require a Linux-based environment. To run a Windows guest in the Sky Computing Layer, you would use Instances-xvm, which are virtual machines designed to support both Linux and Windows operating systems, including support for the necessary hardware virtualization technologies.

What does a fully-managed Sky Node entail?

A fully-managed Sky Node is a cloud instance that is pre-configured, maintained, and monitored by the xcware team. It includes automated updates, security patches, and performance optimizations. With the xcware team handling all infrastructure management, users can focus on their applications and workloads without the burden of managing the underlying systems. Seamlessly integrated for reliability and efficiency within the Sky Computing environment, simply log in to your Nexus Volant account and start building.